GREENFIELD — Monday marked the first day of construction for the city’s roughly $1.17 million Main Street water main project.

From Colrain to Chapman streets, contract workers from Springfield-based Morais Concrete Service will work to dig and replace a large stretch of the city’s water mains over the course of roughly two months.

“Similar to other communities, Greenfield’s water main infrastructure is aged and requires attentive oversight to ensure it operates effectively,” Mayor Ginny Desorgher said in a statement. “I want to thank the [Greenfield Department of Public Works] for prioritizing this work and maintaining a strong understanding of the city’s infrastructure needs.”

Of the project’s total cost, $250,000 was funded through Chapter 268 state economic development earmarks.

The work focused on the area surrounding Chapman Street on Monday, according to Greenfield Communications Director Matthew Conway. Although there were no closures that day, the street was realigned with cones to accommodate Main Street traffic.

Parking near the former Wilson’s Department Store will be unavailable in the coming days. Conway said those who are attempting to visit nearby businesses should use either the lots on Chapman, Miles or Ames streets. He added that available street parking is likely to dwindle as construction moves down to Colrain Street.

“Parking on Main Street might be slightly less convenient for drivers, but fortunately, the city has plenty of parking lot alternatives that folks can utilize,” he said.

The water main work was previously discussed at a March meeting of local business representatives at the John Zon Community Center in relation to the city’s $7.78 million Main Street reconstruction project, which will include repaving and reconfiguring a large portion of Main Street spanning from Colrain Street to High Street.

In response to business owners’ concerns that water main construction would eliminate parking and reduce pedestrian traffic downtown, Desorgher said the work is necessary and that the city will do what it can to mitigate any potential negative impacts it might have on businesses.

“We all know that we need water, and we know what problems we’ve had in the city by not taking care of some of our infrastructure. Can I plan for all of that appropriately and not have any effect on the downtown businesses? I’d be lying if I said I could,” Desorgher said in March. “You have to take care of your infrastructure, you have to replace the water mains and repair the roads. You do your best to notify one business at a time.”

DPW Director Marlo Warner II could not be reached for comment on Monday or Tuesday. DPW Engineering Superintendent Alan Twarog declined to comment on the project when reached by phone on Monday.

Anthony Cammalleri can be reached at acammalleri@recorder.com or 413-930-4429.